Kid Rock endorsed Republican Senate hopeful John James at a rally Tuesday night where he also apologized for a publicity stunt last year in which he hinted he was running for the Senate.

Rock, whose real name is Robert Ritchie, said it was initially "fun and games" until people started to believe he was serious. He said he didn't factor in letting down his supporters.

"You know, I was hearing from the White House weekly," he said. "There were governors and senators that endorsed me. There were people that wrote me letters from all over ... So to those people, I apologize."

He also said: "I hope you’ll accept that apology, and I hope you’ll also trust me when I say I’m 100% here to endorse and do everything I can to make sure John James gets into the U.S. Senate."

James, at his "Mission: Take Back Michigan Rally" at the Suburban Collection Showplace, touted his conservatism and military and business experience. He said he supports gun rights and wants to protect the U.S. Constitution.

"I have the experience to work with everybody to accomplish the mission," he said. "I have been successful in the toughest of environments, from the battlefields of Baghdad to the boardrooms in Detroit."

Businessman John James is running as a Republican for U.S Senate in 2018(Photo: John James campaign)

The crowd erupted in applause when James said, "I understand what happens when you take God out of schools. The devil goes right in."

James said he is the only candidate who can beat Democratic U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow this fall.

Jacob Kaiser, 23, of Rockford, said he attended the rally because he wanted to get to know James.

“I came here because I wanted to start learning more about politics, and thought the best place to learn about politics was rallies,” he said. “It’s just information gathering for me.”

Before the rally began, a band decked out in red, white and blue hats played funk and R&B music. In one corner, people lined up at a booth where they could shoot cork guns at targets. Another corner had a table with Donald Trump hats for sale.

Other speakers included Novi Mayor Bob Gatt and Robert O'Neill, who was a member of the Navy SEAL Team 6 that took down Osama bin Laden.

Attendee Doug Altman, 70, of Freeland, said he connects with James’ conservatism.

“I came here to support John James,” he said. “He’s a conservative. Everything I believe in, he believes in. I believe in right to life, the Second Amendment and free speech. Plus, Stabenow has to go.”

Last year, Kid Rock launched a Kid Rock For Senate website and sold campaign-themed merchandise. People wondered for months whether he was really serious until he announced in October on the Howard Stern show that it was all in jest.

"I'm not running for Senate. Are you kidding me?" he said on the show. "Who couldn't figure that out? I'm releasing a new album. I'm going on tour too. Are you (kidding) me?"

Rock said Tuesday that James would be the best person for the job because he would take care of the Great Lakes, fix potholes and bridges, and invest in education and Michigan's security.

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Ron Machus of Cold Water, right and Tyler John Malone of Carbondale take a photograph in front of Little Caesars Arena before attending the Kid Rock concert in Detroit on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017. Romain Blanquart, Detroit Free Press